More information, visit 3: Snow guards retain snow on rooftops so it can be managed and predictively removed by sublimation and thaw.Īdding a sign to the building warning pedestrians of falling ice and snow is not an acceptable alternative to snow management. Joe Salvatore is specialty sales manager at Berger Building Products Inc., Feasterville, Pa. But before you make the choice, remember to consider how the snow guard fits the safety, budgetary and aesthetic needs of your customer's project. There are hundreds of products available in the market today for metal roofing, and dozens that will fit your application. I will often quote both rail products and seam-mounted snow guards for projects so the customer can compare how cost effective each will be. These can be colored-matched to blend perfectly with the roof and available in different shapes. Seam-mounted snow guards and rail products should be considered. There are more design capabilities with metal roofing than any other roofing product. When we get to aesthetics, standing seam metal roofs have more of a wow factor. However, these products are not as economical as the plastic variety. Many companies are offering stamped-metal designs as well as metal origami for these panels. These can be mechanically fastened to exposed roof panels and sealed with a dab of sealant. They are affordable and readily available. When it comes to bang for your buck, plastic snow guards are a mainstay in the industry. However, there are many affordable choices for metal roofing. Snow guards are still the last thing on the roof and first thing out of the budget. Money is no object, until the quote arrives. This is when we have to consider the budget. Let's make one point clear: from a safety standpoint, when properly installed, you will get the same level of protection from surface-mounted snow guards as you will from seam-mounted snow guards, as you will from rail systems. Rail systems are fine products and we sell thousands of feet of them, but it is not the best product for all applications. Some think rails will hold everything on the roof-forever. When I ask why, they can't seem to answer. Many people call me wanting to use a rail system. Location of the building, elevation at the location of the building, historical snow fall (wet/ice), ground snow load and roof measurements-all have a role in determining where to place product, but too often these are not considered. Again, there are no cookie-cutter answers when it comes to snow guard patterns and placement. The guards will only be as safe as the pattern they are installed on. Once the snow has gained momentum, it is very difficult to stop. Snow guards and rails are designed to limit the movement of snow and ice on metal roofs. This program falls under the category of HSW (health, safety and welfare) because snow guards are an aspect of architecture intended to limit or prevent accidental injury or death among users of the buildings or sites. (continuing education seminar) on snow retention products. Berger Building Products Inc., Feasterville, Pa., offers an AIA/CES Snow guards, first and foremost, are safety devices. Let's find out what guards will best reduce snow and ice slides on your roof, see what they cost and whether they are pleasing to the eye. When choosing snow guards it is very important to consider the following criteria: safety, budget and aesthetics. One product will not fit all applications, and with all of the various styles of metal roofing, why would it? I want the customer to make the decision based on the needs of their project. There are no cookie-cutter answers with snow guards. My goal is to show them how certain products will help them achieve their goals. Joking aside, I am able to offer a number of products for nearly every type of roofing. I have consulted on tens of thousands of roofing projects, large and small, and I am repeatedly asked, "What product should I use?" And I reply truthfully, "I've been married for 22 years, I haven't made a decision in 22 years and I am not going to start now." But there are so many snow retention products in the marketplace, how do you help the customer decide what to use? You've just sold a metal roof, now it's time to ask the customer for the fries with their burger. Consider the following criteria: safety, budget and aesthetics
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